I have some questions about expressing breast milk, please advise me....thank you.

[GoodGollyMissMolly]

1. If DH gives DD a bottle of EBM when she is hungry do I need to express so that I keep my milk supply up?

2. How long can EBM be stored for in the fridge?

3. DD is 4 weeks old on Tuesday, BF'ing is going great. Is she likely to refuse the breast if she has a couple of bottles of EBM a day (mainly at night) and possibly not at all in the week, mainly on weekends so DH can take over and I can get a bit more rest/sleep.

4. Can I put the pump in the fridge if I am not finished with it? and keep adding to it in the? day?

If anyone has any more advice I would love to hear it.

TIA

(1) Well yes you need to maintain your supply, so yes to that one and of course you will need to replace the milk in the fridge.
(2) 24 hours, you can freeze it for longer in special pots or bags (they sell them at the supermarket).
(3) You can never tell. DD had a few bottles when she was three weeks old and honestly she didn't care less, but then when she was older we just dropped them and she didn't miss them. You can but try!
(4) You can mix milk (but need to clean the pump between uses), you need to use it before the oldest bit is 24 hours old.

1. Yes
2. see link - I think it is 8 days
3. the problems I had were poor latch after offering a bottle (which I did from about 4 weeks just now and then, not every day). also later, she started to refuse a bottle all together
4. yes you can

www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/index.html

also, if freezing, do so in small amounts which you can add to - saves wasting OZs if it is defrosted and not used in time

HTH

With the expressing when LO gets a bottle question - do you have to express at the same time as they get the bottle?

no i found expressing first and last thing best or whhilst having hot bath, if not in bath i used hot flannels

Thank you, that link is excellent

You're welcome - sorry, was and am in, a bit of a rush. The KellyMom website is good - have a hunt around.

Good luck (and congrats on doing so well so far)

Thanks racers